Hospice Isle of Man will be joining forces with more than 100 other hospices across the UK next week.
A range of events will be held to mark Hospice Care Week (October 6-12) in a bid to raise awareness about the diversity of hospice care and highlight that it is available in many different settings beyond hospice buildings.
The launch of the week of activities will begin with the charity’s annual dinner ‘The Chocolate Ball’ on Saturday, October 4, at Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club.
The event is being sponsored by Friends Provident International and will see 200 guests enjoy a fabulous night.
In addition there will be a bag pack at Shoprite, Peel, a quiz, a walking treasure hunt around Douglas plus a lovely evening of music and supper at the Sound.
Hospice will also be asking supporters, schools and companies to wear blue to work and think about the care that Hospice offers next Friday (October 10). Organisers hope people could dress down and pay a £1, and perhaps sell some blue cakes to boost funds.
The week will all be wrapped up with vintage afternoon tea at the Castletown Civic Centre in Castletown on Saturday, October 11, between 1pm-5pm.
During the week special commemorative ‘blue’ butterfly and re-usable shopping bags will go on sale from all hospice shops and Hospice.
There will be information and awareness stands at Noble’s Hospital, Ramsey Town Hall (during the charity’s drop in day on Wednesday) and the Strand Shopping Centre in Douglas.
Chief executive Margaret Simpson said: ‘We will be encouraging our supporters to share stories and memories of hospice care, especially through social media #HospiceCareWeek, to help spread the word that hospice care is not only available in a hospice building.
‘We hope that Hospice Care Week will raise awareness about the diversity of hospice care on offer and how this meets the needs and preferences of terminally ill people and their families in many different ways.
‘Every donation allows Hospice to continue to care for the patient and their families at a crucial time in their lives.’